Steve Silverman

Don’t tell Ohio State running back Beanie Wells that the Buckeyes will be in over their heads in the BCS title game against LSU. 

Wells is sick and tired of hearing complaints about the Big Ten in general and Ohio State in particular. Assertions that the Big Ten is not as good as the SEC, ACC or Big East makes Wells’ blood boil. He is also sick and tired of hearing about Ohio State’s 41-14 loss to Florida in last year’s national championship game.

“They can talk a lot of trash about us and the Big Ten, but that has nothing to do with how we will play against LSU," Wells said. "We will be ready, and we will play our best game.

“I’m tired of hearing people talk about how Ohio State has no speed. Ohio State’s not this. Ohio State is this. We are Ohio State, and we’re going to show up.”

Wells believes Ohio State’s running game will be able to open up a few holes in the Tigers defense. LSU gives up 103 yards per game on the ground, ranking 14th in the nation.

The overall ranking may be impressive, but LSU gave up 385 yards rushing to Arkansas and 201 to Ole Miss. Florida and Kentucky both exceeded their season-long averages against LSU as well.

“I think if you really look at the film, teams could run on LSU,” Wells said. “So I really wouldn’t say that’s one of their strengths.”

By calling out the Louisiana State defense, Wells is putting a lot of extra pressure on himself. He’s not the least bit worried about it.

Before the start of the season, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel told Wells what the coaching staff expected from him. Wells, who was replacing NFL-bound Antonio Pittman, needed to be a “warrior” who would play with aches, bruises and injuries. He needed to rally his teammates.

That proved to be just fine for Wells, who ran for 1,463 yards and 14 touchdowns on 254 carries during his sophomore season. He was at his best in Ohio State’s season-ending 14-3 win at Michigan, punishing the Wolverines with 222 yards on 39 carries.

The performance against Michigan was something Wells had waited a lifetime to achieve. The Akron, Ohio native played with his heart on his sleeve throughout the game and teammates noticed a tear or two in his eyes that day.

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“Beanie Wells is a difference-maker,” Tressel said. “He’s physical and he’s a fiery guy. You could tell in the locker room before the game that he wanted to put the team on his shoulders and go with it.

“He’s the best back in the Big Ten, in my opinion.”

Wells knows that he had a lot of passion before the Michigan game, but it was all harnessed so he could play his best when his team needed him most.

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“I was emotional,” Wells said. “There has to be a lot of emotion when you play Michigan. I had prepared for this game my whole life, and I wasn’t about to let it pass. When it’s Ohio State vs. Michigan, it’s about good vs. evil.”

Not only did Wells have his best game against the Wolverines, he did it despite playing in pain because of a badly injured ankle.

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“That’s something I had to go through,” Wells said. “When coach Tressel told me he wanted me to be a warrior, I just took that and just ran with it. When the head coach comes to you and tells you exactly what he wants you to do and what he wants you to become, it’s going to have an effect on you.”